I have started my own cleaning business and needed a little assistance with pricing my work. I am already insured and bonded have my business name, business cards and my EIN #, etc. I'm ready to go and have an appointment to meet with a company to give all my info. And a W-9. What is a good start-up price? I was thinking of giving a bid of about $20 per hour and the size of the apartments are small (1 bedroom). Is this a good price to start with or is it too low? It is basic move-in cleaning. Thank You Very Much...

Hi, Edub373!

I know just the Expert here who can help you with this. He goes by the name Stringer, and he owns a very large janitorial/cleaning company in the Chicago, IL area.

I'll let him know about your post.

If you'd like to know how to advertise on the Internet for free and get the optimum exposure, please let me know, on this thread, if you're interested in finding out about that.

Thanks!

Than you again my friend...

Ed, please tell me how large is the building overall; how many apartments total, are they all one bedroom? What about the common areas and the utility areas? Is this a one time clean up for a new building?

Or, is this for only one, two or three apartments as they become empty?

Stringer

They are 1 and 2 bedroom. Mostly 1 bedroom. Living room and dining room conjoin, kitchen, furnace closet area and that's about it. Many apartments to do, just didn't know what to price for each one. Clean prior to move-in. That's about it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stringer

Than you again my friend...

Ed, please tell me how large is the building overall; how many apartments total, are they all one bedroom? What about the common areas and the utility areas? Is this a one time clean up for a new building?

Or, is this for only one, two or three apartments as they become empty?

Stringer

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They are 1 and 2 bedroom. Mostly 1 bedroom. Living room and dining room conjoin, kitchen, furnace closet area and that's about it. Many apartments to do, just didn't know what to price for each one. Clean prior to move-in. That's about it. I'd also like to say Thank You for your help and advice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clough

Hi, Edub373!

I know just the Expert here who can help you with this. He goes by the name Stringer, and he owns a very large janitorial/cleaning company in the Chicago, IL area.

I'll let him know about your post.

If you'd like to know how to advertise on the Internet for free and get the optimum exposure, please let me know, on this thread, if you're interested in finding out about that.

Thanks!

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Thank You for your help.. Yes I would like to find out how to do that. Thanks...

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Originally Posted by Edub373

Thank You for your help..Yes I would like to find out how to do that. Thanks....

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Hi again, Edub373!

When we're on at the same time, we can work on that sort of thing. I'll be on much later tonight, if you might be available.

I'm sure that Stringer will come along eventually to help you with the other issues, both in-depth and succinctly!

Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Edub373

They are 1 and 2 bedroom. Mostly 1 bedroom. Living room and dining room conjoin, kitchen, furnace closet area and thats about it. Many apartments to do, just didnt know what to price for each one. Clean prior to move-in. Thats about it. I'd also like to say Thank You for your help and advice.

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Volume does affect your pricing. If you will constantly have many apartments to do then you should bid a little lower since the actual dollars that drop to the bottom line will be more and you will have a better, more competitive bid.

Approximately how many of these apartments will you be cleaning at one time? And, will this continue and for how long?

Please answer these questions and we can proceed to a suggested price.

Stringer

These are apartments as they become empty and I will be doing the final cleaning before they are occupied. One bedrooms, they only have a few 2 bedrooms. Im not cleaning the actual building only the apartments after they are cleaned out, painted, and carpet cleaned or replaced.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stringer

Than you again my friend...

Ed, please tell me how large is the building overall; how many apartments total, are they all one bedroom? What about the common areas and the utility areas? Is this a one time clean up for a new building?

Or, is this for only one, two or three apartments as they become empty?

Stringer

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These are apartments as they become empty and I will be doing the final cleaning before they are occupied. One bedrooms, they only have a few 2 bedrooms. Im not cleaning the actual building only the apartments after they are cleaned out, painted, and carpet cleaned or replaced.

So I would suggest a price per apartment based upon the specs: one bedroom, etc.

First I would compute exactly how many hours it will take and how many people to do it.

Assuming that the apartments are 600 to 800 (850) sq ft each and with the specs you mentioned above Ed I would guess about 3 to 4 hours to complete (does this sound right to you?).

I personally would charge about $30.00 to $35.00 loaded per hour or $120.00 to $140.00 for one apartment. If there are two to be completed at the same time I would offer a 10 to 15% discount, etc.

Please choose your own pricing, this is only a suggestion.

Stringer

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stringer

Volume does affect your pricing. If you will constantly have many apartments to do then you should bid a little lower since the actual dollars that drop to the bottom line will be more and you will have a better, more competitive bid.

Approximately how many of these apartments will you be cleaning at one time? And, will this continue and for how long?

Please answer these questions and we can proceed to a suggested price.

Stringer

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I will possibly be cleaning 2-3 at a time and this will be long term. I will be doing 3 different complexes that the company owns. I've already set my prices and they were accepted. Hopefully everything will run smoothly. Thanks for your help. If you have any suggestions for me feel free to let me know. I'm always open for suggestions. Thanks to you both.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Edub373

I will possibly be cleaning 2-3 at a time and this will be long term. I will be doing 3 different complexes that the company owns. I've already set my prices and they were accepted. Hopefully everything will run smoothly. Thanks for your help. If you have any suggestions for me feel free to let me know. I'm always open for suggestions. Thanks to you both.

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I wish you success, keep plugging away.

[/QUOTE] If you'd like to know how to advertise on the Internet for free and get the optimum exposure, please let me know, on this thread, if you're interested in finding out about that.

Thanks![/QUOTE]

Clough,

I am interested in finding out about free online advertising with as you put it "maximum exposure" I am in the Commercial Cleaning Business

Thanks,

Chris

Hi, Chris!

I'll be glad to help you with that! However, this is the thread of someone else. Please start a new thread in Business Plans, Home-Based Business or Small Business. Those are some of the forum topic areas that I moderate, and if something goes "Oops"! I can fix it then.

Thanks!